September 11, 2003
ROMNEY PRESENTS SWEENEY AWARD FOR CIVILIAN BRAVERY
On anniversary of 9/11, Governor commends winners for their courage
Remembering the bravery of Madeline Amy Sweeney in the final moments aboard American Airlines Flight 11, Governor Mitt Romney today honored five Bay State residents by presenting them with the Madeline Amy Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery.
“September 11th forced us to reexamine many of the assumptions and definitions by which we measure our lives,” said Romney. “Being a hero means taking risks to one’s self for something greater than one’s self.”
Romney was joined by Michael Sweeney, Amy’s widower, and their children, Jack and Anna, to make the award presentations.
“The Madeline Amy Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery is named in recognition of Amy’s brave spirit – it is a truly special award,” said Michael Sweeney. “It celebrates life and the ability of the human spirit to reach beyond concern for one’s self, to act with concern for others, even in the face of potentially devastating consequences. My family is very proud of Amy for what she was able to do on that most horrific day.”
Romney and Michael Sweeney presented the first award to 13-year-old Andrew Macdonald. In the early morning hours of February 15, 2003, Andrew awoke to the smell of smoke in his family’s three-story home in Hull. Realizing the danger that his family was in, he quickly woke up his two younger sisters, Alesia and Emily.
Andrew, staying calm throughout the entire ordeal, helped his sisters put on their shoes, wrapped them in blankets and led them out the back door of the house to a safe location across the street.
“Andrew’s bravery deserves to be commended,” said Romney. “His selfless behavior in a time of tremendous stress and danger are completely consistent with the ideals of the heroes of September 11th.”
“I don’t think of myself as a hero,” said Andrew Macdonald. “I’m just an ordinary kid that did the right thing at the right time.”
The second award was presented to four volunteers of the Pilgrim Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol, a civilian arm of the Air Force, which assists in local search and rescue operations: Timothy Churchill, age 17, of Middleboro; Doreen Churchill (mother of Tim), age 43, of Middleboro; Thomas Melucci, age 18, of Halifax; and Geoffrey Monks, age 16, of Middleboro.
On March 3, 2003 at 1:00 AM, the four responded when a small plane carrying a family of seven from Florida to New Hampshire crashed in the vicinity of Beartown State Forest, near the New York state line.
While Doreen maintained radio contact with local authorities, the others joined together with several EMTs and hiked up to the crash site. They marched through high snowdrifts and battled wind gusts that dropped the temperature as low as 35 degrees below zero.
The team came upon the crash site and spotted the first survivor – a two-year-old boy in a small stream. Tom wrapped the boy in his jacket to keep him warm and away from the elements. The team located two of the boy’s brothers who were alive under some debris from the crash. They reported their findings to an Albany helicopter and the children were taken safely away.
“In large part because of the bravery shown by each of these volunteers, the three brothers are alive and well today,” said Romney. “Their bravery and selfless dedication represent the very best that our state and our nation have to offer.”
“It is with great pride, that we accept this award,” said Doreen Churchill, representing the group. “The true heroes are those that can not be here with us today. We will never forget the great sacrifices that so many Americans have endured in the past. Because of their sacrifices, and in their memory, we will strive to put others before self and to always be vigilant. We are just four links in a chain of thousands that persevere in continuing to build a greater chain of service, leadership, self sacrifice and devotion to community, state, and country.”
The Governor’s Award for Civilian Bravery is named in honor of Madeline Amy Sweeney. For 14 years, she was an American Airlines flight attendant. She lived in Acton, Massachusetts with her husband, Michael Sweeney, and their children. On September 11, 2001, Amy Sweeney was working on the first airplane to devastate New York City by flying into the World Trade Center. Before the plane hit the tower, Amy Sweeney contacted the airline’s ground services crew to convey critical information about the five hijackers and their fatal actions on the plane that morning.
Recipients of the Madeline Amy Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery must demonstrate exceptional bravery, without regard for personal safety, in an effort to save the life or lives of another or others in actual imminent danger.
“We must never lose sight of what we lost on September 11th – as a people, as parents, and as children,” said Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey. “Yet, through all the loss we remain undaunted. We remember not only our fallen – we remember their dreams and that’s why we are here today.”
This is the third presentation of the Madeline Amy Sweeney Award. Last year, Tiago Medeiros of Fall River was honored for pulling Kelly Fateaux from her burning car and saving her life. That same year, the honor was posthumously awarded to Madeline Amy Sweeney, fellow American Airlines flight attendant Betty Ong of Andover and John Ogonowski of Dracut, the pilot from that flight.
###
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.